The Atherton Tablelands

It’s been a long time coming I know, but there is no way I could forget the Atherton Tablelands. With rolling green hills, farmland, fresh produce and gourmet food.... of course this is the favourite place we have visited so far!

Having packed up early at Koombaloomba Dam we had plenty of daylight ahead of us to explore. Mungali Creek Dairy! Mungali Creek is an organic dairy and from all the advertising and signs we had seen I was looking forward to tasting an array of unique cheeses but instead I was extremely disappointed. Just a small country shop, you would miss it if you blinked. Expecting more inside we were eventually offered a taste of 2 cheeses and 2 yoghurts... that’s it! Not quite satisfied and looking for some lunch we decided to share a farmer’s plate of bread, cheeses and chutney. Once again disappointing.... a small plate to share, mostly salad greens, 2 small blobs of cheese and some chutney. I must say though, as disappointing this visit was.. The chutney... amazing, but surprise surprise, they had run out and I couldn’t buy any. So back in the car, still hungry and craving more cheese we were back on the road and heading to Gallo Dairyland!

Stopping in at the Tarzali smokehouse we picked up some Crocodile jerky. I must say I’m not a fan, Ben didn’t mind it though. I have enjoyed fresh croc before but the jerky has a funny leather like texture. So still not satisfied.... on to Gallo Dairyland.

Wow, Wow and Wow! Gallo Dairyland could definitely earn the title of Gallo Wonderland! Walking into the modern facility I had entered heaven. Ben had no idea what he was in for. To my right was a large cabinet full of cheese, including 13 of their own. Another cabinet with a selection of yoghurts, another with gelato. Then like I was drawn to a radiant bright light... another cabinet... full of delicate chocolates made onsite by their local choclatier.

Looking through a large glass window we watched the melted chocolate flowing through the fountains, then on to the cheese makers room where you can view the local cheeses being made. Unfortunately for us the cheesemaker and chocolatier had finished for the day when we arrived, but there workplace was just as interesting.

Still hungry for some lunch we returned to the cafe, tasted an array of cheese and ordered our cheese plate. Yum Yum Yum, this is what I had been expecting all morning and you’ll see from Ben’s pic that we thoroughly enjoyed it! It’s not all about food though, I learnt alot of interesting facts while I was indulging on that cheese plate.

Did you know that Gallo Dairyland milk approx 500 cows TWICE a day. Each cow produces approx 20 litres of milk a day, and it takes 5.5 litres of water to produce 1 litre of milk! To my calculation, that means each cow must consume approx 110 litres of water a day and Gallo Dairyland produce approx 10,000 litres of milk a day! Wow.

Purchasing some chocolates for the road (Ben didn’t take very nicely to the chilli chocolate) we headed outside to watch the modern day milking of the cows. I truly never wanted to leave this place and encourage everyone to visit. As it promises on their website “a visit to Gallo Dairyland is not only informative, it is fascinating and tasty”.

Although I could ramble on about Gallo Dairyland for hours Ben did eventually drag me away. Somehow I couldn’t convince him to set up the camper in their car park? We hit the road and pulled up at Granite Gorge Caravan Park, 12km west of Mareeba, for the night.

I wish I could be as enthusiastic about Granite Gorge Caravan Park as  I was about Gallo but I can’t. I wouldn’t recommend it as a place to camp, beautiful but poorly managed and expensive for the basic facilities.

Atherton Tablelands – Fantastic, Beautiful, Interesting, Tasty. Can’t wait to go back!

P.S  We also stopped at the curtain fig tree, amazing!



Croc Jerky




Gallo Dairyland




Tablelands Windfarm




Gallo Dairyland - Modern Day Milking




Krystle under the Curtain Fig Tree



Koombaloomba Dam

Not knowing where we would be sleeping tonight, we headed north-east toward the Atherton Tablelands. We had a fair idea we would camp at Lake Tinaroo for a few days with Ben eager to bag a Barra. However stopping in at Ravenshoe, the highest town in Qld, the old chat at the information centre recommended heading to “Koombaloomba Dam”.... “More of a locals place” he said.

So off we headed, you can’t argue with the info guy! It was only about 30 km south of Ravenshoe but the road was narrow and winding through dense rainforest. I was the lucky driver for this leg but unfortunately a ute and boat coming the other way was travelling too fast to move over and collided with the driver side of our car. Shock, Devastation, Anger..... I can only begin to describe what was going through our head. Firstly, we were all safe (dogs included) and that was the main thing... but I was speechless, I couldn’t move from the driver seat. So early in our trip and with the sound of the impact we assumed the driver side of our car and camper damaged dramatically. Ben jumped out of the car to find luck was definitely on our side that day.... the front of the other drivers vehicle did not fair so well but we seemed unscathed. A miracle! It appeared the other vehicle had hit our scrub bars, tray, roll bar and tyre leaving the panel work and the trailer well alone!! I was thanking Tony for that one!

So, a bit too shaken to drive and eager to set up camp I handed the driver seat over to Ben and off we went. It felt like we stepped into a picture from a Canadian travel magazine. The dam was enormous, the water so clean and the colour of the ocean. On one side of the dam was rainforest, the other grassy campsites, opposite our campsite a small creek ran a waterfall into the dam. I have never seen anything like it and it was almost all ours.

We didn’t catch any Barra or Redclaw, we got stuck in the rainforest 4wding and had to winch out but what a beautiful place... I would definitely go back for more!

P.S. I made a DVD of getting stuck 4wding as well as a cooking demo here but i'm waiting for my editing software to arrive before i can post it!

Sunset at Koombaloomba Dam

Our camp on the waters edge

Ben out in the boat, straight out from our camp!

How Could I Forget Ravenswood?

A tiny little town outside of Charters Towers I can't believe i forgot to share with you! Ravenswood is a real step back in time, the old school, pub, church etc have been preserved and are still used by the towns small population today. The town is kept alive by a local mine. You can't help but feel like you have really stepped back in time... it's beautiful.

P.S. I really am finding it amazing looking at different churches on our trip. They are some of the most beautiful buildings. My favorites are definately the white chapels on top of the hill in the country. There is just something so peaceful about them!

Burdekin Falls Dam To Cobbold Gorge

Seeking some R & R and a place we truly could do nothing we decided to navigate inland to Burdekin Falls Dam. We didn’t arrive until after dark and got a beautiful surprise by our surroundings when we woke in the morning. An amazing stretch of water, the dam wall below us gushing over, a simple and peaceful camping ground managed by sunwater and even a well kept pool to cool down! So what did we do for a whole day you ask?? With no phone service we explored the dam, went for a bushwalk and had a swim.. or two! The most unproductive day in a long time... oh what a feeling!

It wasn’t long though and we were on the road again. This time travelling through Charters Towers for some supplies and north to Cobbold Gorge. Wow, wow & wow. There is just something to be said about good old country hospitality, you just feel so at home no matter how long you’ve been there. That’s how the Terry family and their staff made us feel anyway. Mrs Terry informed us that for their honeymoon they returned to Robin Hood Station, where the gorge is located, and started creating a business plan to start the Cobbold Gorge tourist destination. What a great job they have done! Some pics below for you.

We chose to go on our first tour at Cobbold Gorge, tagging along with our guide Graham we learnt alot about local history, bush tucker and of course the gorge. We ventured into the gorge as far as we could in a purpose built solar powered boat, the scenery amazing, the silence unforgettable.

The facilities at Cobbold Gorge camping ground were unexpected. A neat and modern amenities block, grassy quiet powered sites, a pool, a great dam to kayak on and of course a fantastic bar and kitchen. I feel as though I owe alot the Terry family already, for sharing their story with us and making me even more determined to find our dream farm and create an amazing place for people to visit.



Burdekin Falls Dam Sunset

   

Beautiful peacocks at Burdekin Falls Dam camp area.



Ben, Bear & Xena on top of a huge quartz blow at Cobbold Gorge.

Ben travelling into Cobbold Gorge

Our guide, Graham. A wealth of knowledge.



Saying "Hello" to a baby razor back turtle in the gorge.

All aboard the tour bus please..... I want one for my camper next time round!



Something for the foodies...... PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE!

On the road again we decided we had had a big enough dose of the coast and it was time to head inland to Burdekin Falls Dam. On our way, stopping for a quick bite for lunch in Bowen i came across something i have never seen, heard of or cooked before - Pumpkin Cheesecake. I found this recipe online and if anyone gives it a go before i get around to it... let me know how it goes!

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 stick melted salted butter

Filling:

• 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin
• 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For crust:

In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.

For filling:

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined.

Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Back To The Mainland - First stop Conway Beach - 25th October 2010

And so it was time to leave the island. As excited that I should have been, about to continue our journey around Australia, I felt somewhat empty and sad that our wedding and holiday with family and friends had gone by so fast. We waved goodbye to our family that remained on Daydream Island, I made a bad attempt at holding back any tears, and we headed for the mainland.

By the time we arrived at Airlie Beach the tears had dried up and we were on the road to pick up Bear, Xena & the camper trailer. I soon realised that the sad moment of one chapter in my life ending would soon be replaced with the excitement of another chapter beginning.

Nissan loaded with our travel angel pinned to the dash mat (thanks Aunty Carmel), we headed for a long drive of approx 30km to Conway Beach for a short overnight stay. Here we could get our mainland bearings and figure out where the road would take us tomorrow.

Conway beach is only about a ½ hour drive from Airlie Beach and much the opposite kind of town.  With the only small shop and bar at the caravan park, a few holiday rental houses the town is quiet and relaxing. The long stretch of beach was fantastic for the dogs to stretch their legs and have some fun after being in the kennel for 5 days, but that was about all it was good for.

The town is renowned for fishing and crabbing as the river meets the ocean, but as we were only in town overnight the boat failed to hit the water. Next time!

The caravan park would have to be one of the most colourful I have ever seen, and a very interesting ladies amenities. Each toilet/shower door appears as a front door painted in beautiful bright colours and shower heads coming straight down from the ceiling. Very creative and a great weekend away for local families and fishermen!

Only day 1 on the road and already Ben had been asked to help wire a plug for another traveller. With $20 in hand we were packed up and heading out towards Bowen. We couldn't get out the gate though without our first bit of marriage advice from a lovely couple married 45 years. They told us learn to say "Yes Dear!" and "Never stop talking!" and we all know i've got the talking down pat!

OCEAN RAFTING - 24th October 2010

The day after the wedding we ventured off “Ocean Rafting” with some of our family and friends (those that weren’t too hung over from the wedding!). Fantastic, Amazing, Exciting, Fun, Adventurous... what a great way to start our married life.

We took the northern tour to Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach followed by some beautiful snorkelling around Hook Island. Jase and Willis, our skipper and guide, were indescribable. Funny, knowledgeable, passionate, hospitable...LEGENDS. They really made our trip that day and our guests are still talking about their adventure.

First stop Whitehaven Beach where we ventured to the Hill Inlet lookout for a group pic (Below) returning to the beach for a swim, fish feeding, walking with the stingrays, lunch and of course drowning my wedding gown!

That’s right, Ben & I got dressed back into our wedding clothes and were photographed swimming at Whitehaven. What a feeling.... my white chiffon gown drifted weightlessly around me like a soft cloud in the ocean... I didn’t want to leave. I was so pleased I decided to go ahead and drown the gown.. a lovely experience. (I will get some pics of drowning my gown up once i have time to edit them!)

It was onto snorkelling after lunch and everyone enjoyed seeing hundreds of beautiful fish and coral at 2 amazing sites.

I big shout out to the team at Ocean Rafting, and especially Willis and Jase. The best daytrip we have ever been on, highly recommended and a magical first day as husband and wife!

Introducing Mr & Mrs Thompson -23rd October 2010

Wow... What a day! In the blink of an eye (just as everyone warned me) it was over. Really... what was there to stress about? The 2 days of rain before the wedding, having to move our dream outdoor reception to a stuffy conference room, the cake not being right, the dress not fitting after too many cocktails, getting the song I prepared for Ben wrong.... the list goes on!

Through the sleepless nights, rushing around and making myself sick with stress Ben, as usual, reminded me “Stress isn’t going to change anything” and “It will be perfect, don’t worry”. Dare I put this on record but BEN WAS RIGHT! The weather, the cake, the dress, the reception, great company, the song.... everything was perfect!

Today, looking back on that amazing day I became Mrs Thompson, there is a lot of little things I don’t remember. I don’t remember the white isle carpet and bows in the chapel I so desperately wanted, these things are coming back to me as I look at photo’s. One thing I will never forget is seeing an emotional Ben waiting for me at the altar and walking down the aisle towards him. Probably the most emotional part of my day, walking down the aisle as Miss Powell and back as Mrs Thompson!

Words can’t describe what a beautiful day we had and how much it meant to have our family and close friends share in our special occasion.

Below are a few pics for those still waiting.... I will get around to sending more out once I receive the photographers pics in a few weeks.

The Beginning.......



Today is the day we begin our journey... speedo at 152538. It's goodbye Mackay and hello Australia... first stop Daydream Island. It was a wet start, we've had nothing but rain all day but i am positive it will clear for the wedding on Saturday. (Although there was a bit of a tantrum today!)



No great food news this week... as passionate as i am about cooking i am going to make the most of my resort meals and a cocktail.. or two! A sumtous antipasto platter for lunch today with the nicest chargrilled vegetables i have ever tasted! Looking forward to trying the home made Chilli Vodka with Chambord this evening!

Rain rain go away.... go away so we can play!

Until next time XO



Speedo - Start of adventure!



All packed & leaving Mackay.




Cocktails on arrival at the resort.



Get ready for it.

An uplifting and adventurous journey around Australia finding new recipes, new food, new places and new experiences. From remote outback to the sea, from the city to the country!
The Journey begins late October 2010!